Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by schleprock on August 14, 2012, at 15:13:44
Forgot to ask my pdoc this, but it feels like I might be developing a tolerance to clonazepam (gradually increased to the current 1.5 mg over the last few months, and not my first time on the drug.) When prescribing today (for anxiety\depression), my pdoc mentioned, in a very general way, that Lyrica does alot of what clonazepam does. If I'm already somewhat tolerant to the benzo, will I be tolerant to Lyrica as well? Does Lyrica "tolerance" even exist? Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on August 14, 2012, at 16:06:29
In reply to Will Benzo tolerance = Lyrica tolerance, posted by schleprock on August 14, 2012, at 15:13:44
I also need to know as am benzo tolerant. 40 some odd years on low doses. It started about 8 years ago. Haven't raised doses and doc wouldn't approve. What does on do for anxiety when tolerant? All the do is make me sleepy now. Used to give energy as relaxed. I'm guessing lyrica can also do the same? Scarey. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on August 14, 2012, at 21:55:36
In reply to Will Benzo tolerance = Lyrica tolerance, posted by schleprock on August 14, 2012, at 15:13:44
> Forgot to ask my pdoc this, but it feels like I might be developing a tolerance to clonazepam (gradually increased to the current 1.5 mg over the last few months, and not my first time on the drug.) When prescribing today (for anxiety\depression), my pdoc mentioned, in a very general way, that Lyrica does alot of what clonazepam does. If I'm already somewhat tolerant to the benzo, will I be tolerant to Lyrica as well? Does Lyrica "tolerance" even exist? Thanks.
I doubt that there is cross-tolerance between these two drugs. In other words, you won't be tolerant of Lyrica as the direct effect of previous exposures to benzodiazepines. However, that doesn't mean that Lyrica won't poop-out. Hopefully, you will receive some personal anecdotes as responses to your questions. For me, Lyrica produced a mild antidepressant effect that lasted for less than a week. Thereafter, it did more harm than good.
BZD = benzodiazepine
GABA = gamma aminobutyric acid
NE = norepinephrine
DA = dopamineThe mechanisms of action underlying the anxiolytic effects of Lyrica and clonazepam are different. Clonazepam attaches to the BZD binding site of the GABA receptor, thereby enhancing its stimulation. Lyrica binds to the alpha2delta-1 subunit of the voltage gated calcium channel, thus reducing vesicular glutamate release. Both of these diverse mechanisms result in the inhibition of glutamate activity. Glutamate hyperactivity contributes to the expression of anxiety. In addition, NE release, but not DA release is reduced by Lyrica via a reduction in K+ currents. This should reduce anxiety (amygdala) without producing depression (nucleus accumbens).
Nardil?
Effexor?
Paxil?
- Scott
Posted by brynb on August 20, 2012, at 14:53:06
In reply to Will Benzo tolerance = Lyrica tolerance, posted by schleprock on August 14, 2012, at 15:13:44
If you're just starting Lyrica, you will not be tolerant to its effects just because you're already on a benzo. For some people, though, it can potentiate the benzo feeling.
Lyrica is very similar to Gabapentin (Neurontin), but newer and more potent. In my experience, if I stopped taking Neurontin (after being on it for awhile) and then restarted it, I would "feel" it again. But, one doesn't have anything to do with the other (meaning benzo tolerance doesn't = Lyrica tolerance). While it can and does help some with anxiety, it doesn't work the same way benzos do.
-b
This is the end of the thread.
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